Method of packaging articles



1942- R. E. J. NOIIRDQUIST 2,291,645

METHOD OF PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed June 14, 1.959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \&-

4 \o wa LE INVENTOR- ATTORNEYS Aug. 4, 1942. R. E. J. NORDQUIST 2,291,645

METHOD OF PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed June 14, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a plurality of Patented 4, 1942 METHOD OF PACKAGING ARTICLES Ronald E. J. Nordqu-ist, Maplewood, N. 3., assignor to American Can Company,

NemYol-k, N. Y.,

a corporation of New Jersey Application .iune 14, 1939, Serial No. 279,180

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a method of packaging articles such ascontainers or the like and has particular reference to grouping the containers and wrapping them in a three-piece paper wrapper for shipment or storage.

By way of example fibre milk containers of the character disclosed in United States Patent 2,085,979, issued July 6, 1937, to John M. Hothersell on Container, are taken as one form of article to which the instant invention is particularly applicable. In transporting such containers from the dairies in which they are tilled with milk products, they are usually packed in open top boxes which are returnable to the dairies for subsequent use. There is considerable opportunity for contamination of the containers in this practice since it is almost impossible to maintain strictly germ-free conditions in a returnable and reusable box of this The instant invention contemplates overcoming these difiiculties by encasing groups of the containers in a paper wrapper which will be used only once and thereafter destroyed so that germ-free conditions will obtain in the package as nearly as it is possible to provide them.

An object therefore of the invention is the provision of a method of packaging individual articles such as containers and the like wherein a three-piece paper wrapper is folded around a group of the containers and secured in place to efiect a sealed package so that the containers will be protected against contamination during transportation and storage, the wrapper being of such construction that it will be destroyed in being removed thus insuring that it will be used for only one trip.

Numerous other objects and advantages oi the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings: I

Figure l is a perspective schematic view or an apparatus for carrying out certain of the steps of the instant method invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of a strip of fibre from which parts of the wrapper are formed;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a group of containers with parts oithe wrapper in place;

Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of a group oi containers and apparatus for assembling the wrap- 7 per parts shown in Fig. 3;

Figs. 5, 6 and 'l are perspective views of apparatus for preparing other parts of the wrapper and for assembling such parts with the containers and with the wrapper parts shown in Fig. 3; Figs. 6 and 'l being'viewed from a plane taken substantially along a line 6-5 indicated in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the completely packaged container unit showing the finished wrapper in place.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings disclose a method of grouping a number or milk containers A gFigs. 1 and 3) and placing on top of them a heavy fibreboard top B. Simultaneously there is also placed in position under the containers a heavy fibreboard bottom C. These top and bottom pieces constitute two parts of a three-part wrapper and are larger than the overall dimensions of the grouped containers so that a marginal portion D (Fig. 4) will overhang the containers on all sides or the group.

marginal portions D of the top and bottom pieces 3, C are folded over along score lines E (Fig. 2) formed therein and are thus bent inwardly and laid down against the sides of the containers, as shown in Fig. 3. Slits F in the marginal portions D provide for neat fitting oi the overlapping sections at the corners.

After applying the top and bottom pieces B, C of the wrapper, a strip of light weight paper H is wound around the exposed or uncovered sides of the container group as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. This constitutes the third or body piece of the wrapper. The longitudinal edges of the body piece carry adhesive J sothat the paper 4 will stick to the folded-over marginal edges D containers enclosed therein oi the top and bottom pieces B, C. The ends 01 the body piece overlap each other. and are secured by adhesive applied to the inner surface of the outer lap portion.

The width of the body piece H' is preferably greater than the height of the container group so at a portion of the longitudinal edges of the body piece will extend beyond the top and bottom pieces B, C. These extending edges are laid down flat on the top and bottom pieces and are secured in place by the adhesive J. Thus the entire group of containers is surrounded by the three parts of the wrapper and thereby provide a closed and sealed package which will protect the as shown in Fig. 8.

While in position on the container group, the

continuously moving belt conveyor H (Fig. 1).

The apparatus end of the conveyor belt takes over a driving pulley l2 mounted on a drive shaft I3 which may be journaled in suitable bearings and which may be driven in any suitable manner in time with the other moving parts of the apparatus. Spaced and parallel guide rails I4 retain the containers in a straight line while on the belt.

At the pulley end of the belt. the incoming containers ride off onto a horizontal table l6 which is flush with the top of the belt. Th containers on the belt push those on the table longitudinally thereof until stopped by a stop rail l1 secured to an upright l8 bolted or otherwise secured to the table.

Grouping of the containers into batches preferably of twelve, is effected by a reciprocating pusher bar 2! carried on an actuating rod 22 mounted in bearings formed in the apparatus and operated in any suitable manner in time with the other. moving parts of the apparatus. On its forward stroke the pusher'bar engages against the first four containers in the line on the table It and pushes them transversely out of the line and across the table to approximately the middle thereof. on succeeding strokes of the pusher bar, 'four containers are pushed over against the preceding four and at the same time move them across the table. This assembles the desired number into a mass or batch. After three such strokes for the present example, there are the required twelve containers amassed in an orderly rectangularly shaped group 25.

While the group 25 of containers A is still on the table, the top and bottom pieces B, C of the wrapper are moved into position relative thereto. The wrapper pieces B, C are preferably formed from a web or from webs 21 of the heavy fibreboard hereinbefore mentioned. These webs are preferably unrolled from supply rolls 28 mounted on shafts 29 carried in suitable bearings formed in the apparatus.

If desired both top and bottom pieces B, C may be formed from a single web 21 and shifted into place on the grouped containers. However, in order to simplify the operation, two webs are shown, the top piece B'bein'g formed from one web while the bottom piece is formed from the other. One web is disposed on a level with the top of the grouped containers and the other on a level with the bottom.

Each web 21 is intermittently'fed toward the container group 25 byfeed rollers 3|. The rollers first draw the web through -a scoring die which grouped containers.

with shearing recesses 36 in the stationary die members 32 to cut the slits F in the wrapper pieces at the same time that the scoring is done.

After the webs have been scored, a top and bottom piece B, C are cut off from the respective webs by cooperating shearing blades 3?, 38. This cutting operation is preferably efl'ected while the web is stationary, such a out being indicated by the dot and dash line 39 shown in Fig. 2. The shearing blades are carried in any suitable manner and are actuated in time with the other operating parts of the apparatus.

A cut-off wrapper piece 13 or C is immediately advanced into position over or under the group of containers as hereinbefore mentioned. This feeding of each cut piece is preferably done by a pair of feed rollers 4| whi:h are mounted in suitable bearings in the apparatus. These rollers are actuated in any suitable manner in time with the other moving parts of the apparatus.

If desired the feeding of these top and bottom pieces B, C may be so timed, that the bottom piece C will be positioned on the table before the containers are grouped thereon The containers may then be pushed onto the bottom piece as hereinbefore mentioned and formed into the group while the paper remains stationary.

The group 25 of containers and their positioned top and bottom wrapper pieces B, C are now preferably transferred into a. pair of cooperating upper and lower bending jaws (Fig. 4) which bend the overhanging marginal portions D into place. These jaws are mounted on the ends of reciprocating rods 46 suitably carried in the apparatus and actuated in time with the other movable parts. The jaws are provided with transverse bending lips 41 and longitudinal bending lips 48.

As the bending jaws are moved toward the positioned top and bottom wrapper pieces B, C, the transverse lips 41 engage over the "transverse margins D and bend them into place against the sides of the containers as shown in Fig. 3, the jaws moving into place over the ends of the Further movement 01' the jaws brings the longitudinal lips 48 into play and these now bend the longitudinal margins D into place. When the jaws recede or separate, the bent margins D will temporarily remain in place so that the third or body piece H may be ailixed,

, as will now be explained.

produces the score lines E and'slits F hereinbefore mentioned. Each scoring die includes a lower stationary die member 32 and a cooperating upper vertically movable or reciprocable die member 33. Movement of the web takes place only when the die members are separated.

When each web has been advanced the length of one wrapper piece B or C and as it comes to rest in its intermittent travel, the die members associated therewith are brought together to effect the scoring. In the top piece B the scoring is made in the lower surface of the web while in the bottom piece C the scoring is in the upper surface of its associated web. Knifeedges 35 in each of the movable die members 33 cooperate roller it is twisted into a vertical position as The body piece H is preferably formed from a web 5| (Fig. 5) of light weight paper unrolled from a supply roll 52, carried on a rod 53. As the web is taken off the roll it passes over an adhesive applying roller 55 mounted in an adhesive pot or reservoir 56 and rotated in any suitable manner in a bath of the adhesive J contained in the pot. It is this roller that applies the adhesive J to the longitudinal edges of the web. A pressure roller 58 mounted above the web presses the latter against the applying roller as the web moves between them. These rollers also serve'as feed rollers for advancing the web- As the coated web leaves the adhesive applying shown in Fig. 5 and then passes between a pair of vertically disposed feeding rollers 5|. At least one roller, that operating on the adhesive coated surface is short so that it will not touch the freshly applied adhesive. The feeding rollers advance the coated web by a step by step movement into a position in front of a three sided mould 63 (Fig. 6). This advanced section of the web is then cut off by a pair of vertically disposed shearing blades 64,

65 which are actuated in any suitable manner in time with the other moving parts of the apparatus. This cut-ofi section of the web constitutes the body or third piece H of the wrapper.

While the cut-ofi body piece H is thus extending in front of the mould 63, the group 25 of containers and the top and bottom pieces B, C of the wrapper in place thereon, are brought into alignment with the mould. A pusher plate 61 thereupon pushes the container group 25 first against the body piece H and then forces both paper and containers into the mould as shown in Fig. '1. This pushing action wraps the paper around three sides of the container group, leaving a short and a long flap projecting beyond the mould. Also at this edges of the paper are pressed into tight engagement with the exterior surfaces of the bent over margins D of the top and bottom pieces B and C.

The pusher plate 6! is then withdrawn and the loose ends of the paper in overlapping position against the fourth or uncovered side of the group. The short flap is first folded in against the containers. This folding is done by a roller ii mounted in a movable yoke 12 actuated in any suitable manner in time with the other moving parts of the apparatus. The roller moves across the face of the grouped containers and thus wipes the short flap into position. The moist adhesive on the longitudinal edges of the flap secures it firmly to the bent down margins D.

After the short flap is secured in place, the long flap is wiped down into overlapping relation therewith. This latter wiping action is effected by a roller I which is carried in a yoke I8 actuated in any suitable manner in time with the other moving parts of the machine. During this wiping action the roller 15 brings the end edge portion, marked 11, of the flap into engagement with a vertically disposed adhesive applying roller 18 and thus a deposit of adhesive is picked up by the flap. Hence when the flap is wiped into final position, the overlapping edges of the flap are adhesively secured together as well as the longitudinal dges.

with the body piece H of the wrapper thus in place around the group of containers there only remains to besecured the longitudinal edges of the body piece which project beyond the top and bottom pieces B, C. .These projecting edges are laid down flat against the top and bottom pieces by sliding or reciprocating folding plates 8|. These are provided with laterally projecting flanges 82 which are the top and bottom pieces when the plates are moved in toward the group.

There are three of these plates, one disposed adjacent each closed side of the mould 63 and they are actuated in suitable manner in timewith the other operating parts of the apparatus. The fourth or open side of the mould is covered by the pusher plate 6?. This plate is formed with laterally projecting flanges 84 and when the folding plates 8! move in to effect the securing of the paper moves in with them to secure the edges on its side. This completes the wrapping operation.

Thus the grouped containers are entirely surrounded with a protecting wrapper which is sealed with adhesive along all edges thereof and therefore acts as a shield against contamination of the containers. The finally wrapped package, as shown in Fig. 8, may be removed from the in a similar manner adapted to slide across time the adhesive coated wrapper H are folded edges, the pusher plate also wrapper member over mould as desired and is ready for shipment or storage.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparout that various changes may be made in the steps of the process described and their order of accomplishment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of'its material advantages, the process hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof. 7

I claim:

1. A method of packaging articles, which comprises assembling a plurality of the articles into a group, positioning a top and a bottom member onto the group of articles, turning the marginal edges of the top and bottom members inwardly against the articles, securing a wrapper member around the group with it edges adhesively secured to the turned-in marginal edges of the top and bottom members and with marginal edges projecting beyond the top and bottom members, and bending inwardly and ad hesively securing the projecting edges of the wrapper member to the outer surfaces of the top and bottom members thereby sealing the articles in a three-piece protective covering.

2. A method of packaging articles, which comprises assembling a-plurality of the articles into a group, feeding a pair of webs of heavy fibre material toward the grouped articles, scoring and slitting said fed webs to set off a top and a bottom enclosing member having weakened marginal edges slit across at the corners, cutting off from said webs the scored and slit top and bottom enclosing members, enclosing members respectivel the bottom of the group of articles, bending in wardly against the articles the marginal edges of the enclosing members along the score lines and folding in the slit comers, securing a light weight fibre wrapper member around the group between the top and bottom enclosing members, and bending opposite marginal portions of said and securing the same to adjacent exposed marginal portions of said top and bottom enclosing members, thereby enclosing the articles in a sealed three'piece protective covering.

3. A method of packaging articles, which comprises assembling a plurality of the articles into a group. positioning a top and a bottom enclosing member onto the groupof articles, applying adhesive to-the longitudinal edges of a web of fibre material, positioning a predetermined length of adhesive coated web adjacent the group of articles, cutting off said length of the web to provide a wrapper member for the. articles, pushing the group of articles against the wrapper member to wrap it around three sides of the group and to secure it to the top and bottom enclosing members. folding down one end portion of the wrapper member against the fourth side of the group, applying adhesive to the end portion of the other end of the wrapper, and folding over said end portion in overlapping relation on the top and first mentioned end portion and adhesively securing the same thereto, and finally bending opposite marginal portions of said wrapper member over and securing the same to adjacent exposed marginal portions of said top and bottom enclosing members, thereby sealing the articles in a three piece protective covering'which fully encloses them.

positioning the out off to the 4. A method of packaging articles, which com prises assembling a plurality of the articles into a composite group, positioning separate enclosing members on opposite walls only of said unitary group 01 articles, applying adhesive to a wrapper member and then projecting said group of partially enclosed articles as a unit into said wrapper member while the latter is in fiat condition to enclose the exposed walls only oi said group and adjacent peripheral portions only of said enclosing members, and then adhesively' securing portions of said wrapper member to said peripheral portions of said oppositely dismsed enclosing members, thereby fully covering the grouped articles with a three-piece protective closure.

5. A method of packaging articles, which comprises progressively assembling a plurality of articles into a composite group, scoring portions of and then positioning top and bottom enclosing members against opposite walls of the group of articles, bending inwardly mripheral portions of said enclosing members on said score lines and towards the side walls of said composite group of articles, applying adhesive to marginal portions oil a wrapper sheet and then projecting said partially enclosed group of articles as a unit into said wrapper sheet while the latter is in fiat vertical position to enclose the exposed side walls of said group and said peripheral portions of said enclosing members, and then adhesively securing said marginal portions of the wrapper sheet to the said peripheral portions oi the top and bottom enclosing members, thereby hermetically sealing the group of articles as a unit within a three-piece protective covering which prevents contamination of the article 6. A method of packaging articles, which comprises progressively assembling a'plurallty of the articles into a composite group, cutting a top enclosing member from a web oi material and positioning the same at the top end of the grouped articles, cutting a bottom enclosing member from a web of material and positioning it at the bottom end of the grouped articles, bending opposite marginal edge portions of said top and bottom enclosing members inwardly over opposite ends of said group, positioning a wrapper sheet in flat condition adjacent said group,

projecting said partially enclosed group of articles as a unit into said wrapper sheet to enclose.

the side Walls of said group and marginal portions of said top and bottom enclosing members, and finally bending opposite marginal portions oi said wrapper sheet over and adhesively securing the same to adjacent exposed marginal portions of said top and bottom enclosing members, thereby fully covering said composite group of articles with a closure.

7. A method of prise assembling three-piece protective enpackaging articles, which coma plurality of the articles into a unitary group, reeding separate webs of heavy fibre material toward the grouped articles, cutting separate top and bottom enclosing members from said webs, positioning the enclosing members respectively on the top and bottom of the side walls of said group and exposed marginal portions of said top and bottom enclosing members including the downwardly and upwardly bent portions thereof, and finally bending opposite marginal portions ofsaid wrapper member over and adhesively securing the sameto adjacent marginal portions of said top and bottom enclosing members including said downwardly and upwardly bent portions thereof, thereby fully covering said unitary group or articles with a three-piece protective enclosure.

8. The method of packaging articles, which comprises progressively assembling 'a plurality of the articles into a unitary composite group, positioning separate top bers against opposite ends of said group, bending opposite marginal portions of said top and bottom enclosing members inwardly over opposite ends of said group, feeding a web of wrapping material toward said group while applying adhesive to the longitudinal edges thereof, cutting ofl a predetermined length of the web thus prepared to provide a wrapper sheet, projecting said composite grdup of articles as a unit into said wrapper sheet while the latter is maintained stationary in flat vertical condition adjacent said group whereby said wrapper sheet encloses and partially surrounds the exposed side walls of said group and marginal portions of said top and bottom enclosing members, applying separate adhesive to an end edge portion of said wrapper sheet, adhesively securing said longitudinal edges of the wrapper sheet to adjacent marginal portions .of said top and bottom enclosing members, and thereafter adhesively securing the said end edge portion of said sheet to the opposite end portion thereof, whereby to securely enclose the unitary composite group of articles in a threepiece protective covering.

RONALD E. J. NORDQUIST.

and bottom enclosing mem- 

